Sierra Leone drops treason charge against former president Ernest Bai Koroma

Freetown, Sierra Leone – Former President Ernest Bai Koroma was taken into custody in late 2023 after a coordinated assault on a government armoury and several correctional facilities resulted in the release of dozens of inmates. Security forces reported that armed gunmen breached the armoury in the capital, seized weapons, and subsequently forced entry into three regional jails, facilitating the escape of an estimated 40 prisoners before being subdued by police units.

Investigators linked Koroma to the operation through intercepted communications and financial records suggesting his involvement in planning the attacks. Authorities have charged him with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and facilitating the unlawful release of detainees. The government has emphasized that the case will proceed through the judicial system, underscoring its commitment to uphold the rule of law and deter future attempts to undermine national security.